Maharashtrian Food Recipes – What comes to your mind when you think of Maharashtrian cuisine? A burst of flavour? A plate of steaming hot vada pav or pav bhaji? We bow down to the almost inexhaustible variety of street foods that the local kitchens of this mega-state offer. From misal pav to aamti to bhelpuri, each one of them is a gem. Maharashtrian food is an exciting play of desi masalas, using some of the most basic food items and is all about local cooking styles, most of which you can easily experience and order from your favourite food delivery app.

It is interesting to see that different regions within the state cook up their exclusive versions of a standard dish. Vadas are regarded as a speciality of Mumbai as they are known to have originated there. If you happen to travel across the state, you will experience a significant change in flavours and the prominence of local ingredients. The use of freshly ground masalas like Malvani masala, goda masala and kala masala, is the highlight of the well-known Maharashtrian cuisine.

Vegetables, lentils along with grains like wheat, rice, jowar and bajra constitute an integral part of everyday cooking. Breads are also given a lot of significance in a staple Maharashtrian diet and you have vadas, pavs, and polis served in combination with bhajjis, missal, ussal or ragda.

The Kolhapur region is famous for its authentic white and red mutton curries as well as its traditional green chilly chutney. The Konkan belt cooks generously with coconut milk, cashew nuts, rice and mangoes. Kokum is another ingredient that is typical of most of the Maharashtrian preparations; it is widely used in place of tamarind. Aurangabad offers you a fusion between the quintessential Maharashtrian style cooking and Mughlai flavours.

Why is Maharashtrian food famous?

Maharashtrian food is famous for its vibrant flavours, variety, and deep-rooted cultural traditions. From street delights like Vada Pav to festive favourites like Modak, every dish tells a story. The cuisine beautifully balances spicy, tangy, and sweet tastes using ingredients like coconut, peanuts, and kokum. Its regional diversity makes it both comforting and exciting for every food lover.

Join us as we unravel some of the classics of Maharashtrian cuisine. Learn the art of Maharashtrian cooking with our top 14 recipes.

1. Kaju Kothimbir Vadi

A classic Maharashtrian snack made of gram flour, spices and an addition of cashew nuts.

2. Pudachi Wadi

Pudachi Wadi is a traditional preparation involving besan cases stuffed with a flavourful onion-coriander mixture infused with spices, poppy seeds and copra.

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3. Batata Vada

This goes out to all the potato lovers. Batata translates into potato in English. Mashed masaledar potatoes coated in a thick besan (chickpea flour) batter and deep fried till golden. Batata vada is a street food delight tat you can easily prepare at home during the monsoon season or usually as an evening snack.

4. Zunka Bhakri

Zunka Bhakri is traditionally made with chickpeas or besan paste which is further cooked with onions, curry leaves, ginger-garlic paste, cumin and mustard seeds. Rich and aromatic, best served with bajra or jowar rotis. Recipe Video

5. Pav Bhaji

The traditional hit of Maharashtra, the heart-throb of India, learn to cook the classic pav bhaji in the comfort of your kitchen space. Order it quickly from your favourite food delivery app.

6. Bharleli Vangi

Beautiful aubergines are packed with the goodness of fresh coconut and tangy spices. Straight from a Maharashtrian kitchen, on to your plate! Recipe Video

7. Puran Poli

Break a sweet bread! This Maharashtrian bread is a sweet delight for your taste buds. Puran Poli is specifically made during Ganesh Chaturthi and other festive occasions like Diwali, adding to the spirit of celebration. Gram flour parcels are stuffed with a sweet mixture of dal, infused with waggery and saffron.

8. Misal Pav

Cook up potatoes in a melange of hot masalas and team it up with bread to create a perfect, wholesome Maharashtrian meal. Misal pav is a meal that can be had at any time of the day.

9. Kolhapuri Vegetables

A spice Maharashtrian curry straight from the city of Kolhapur, Fresh vegetables are cooked in yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, hot spices and lemon juice.

10. Aamti

Cook your traditional dal the Maharashtrian way. Yellow gram dal or toor dal is cooked with spices, curry leaves and an additional dose of special Maharashtrian goda masala.

11. Modak

A popular dessert from Maharashtra which is consumed highly during the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi, Modaks are now made in many parts of the country as well. Sweet flour dumplings stuffed with coconut, waggery, nutmeg and saffron.

12. Ghavan

A dosa-like dish that you can make in a few minutes with just three ingredients! Made with rice and salt, Ghavan is a traditional Maharashtrian breakfast dish

13. Tendli Bhaat

Tendli Bhaat is a one-pot delicious rice dish that is a staple in Maharashtrian households. It is made with rice, ivy gourd, onion, tomatoes, garlic, and a unique spice mix called goda masala. 

14. Masala Pav

Enjoy this popular street food from Mumbai in the comfort of your home.

What are the items in a Maharashtrian thali?

A typical Maharashtrian thali includes chapati or bhakri, rice, varan or aamti (lentils), sabzi (vegetables), koshimbir (salad), thecha, pickle, papad, and a cooling drink like sol kadhi or buttermilk. It’s usually finished with a sweet like puran poli, modak, or shrikhand.

Cooking Essentials In Maharashtrian Cooking/Cuisine

Spices and Flavourings

• Goda Masala (Signature aromatic spice blend)
• Kala Masala / Kanda-Lasun Masala (Darker, spicier blend)
• Peanuts (Shengdana)
• Dried or Fresh Coconut
• Mustard Seeds (Rai)
• Curry Leaves (Kadi Patta)
• Turmeric Powder (Halad)
• Asafoetida (Hing)

Souring and Sweetening Agents

• Kokum (Sour fruit, essential for coastal cuisine/Sol Kadhi)
• Tamarind (China)
• Jaggery (Gool)

Grains and Thickeners

• Jowar (Sorghum) and Bajra (Pearl Millet) for Bhakri
• Besan (Gram Flour/Chickpea Flour)
• Rice

Fats and Dairy

• Ghee (Saajuk Toop)
• Vegetable Oil (often Peanut Oil)
• Yoghurt (Dahi)

Cook these absolutely delicious Maharashtrian dishes at home and experience the cuisine in all its glory!